Definition and Context
Persuading, in the biblical context, refers to the act of convincing others to believe or act according to a particular truth or doctrine. It involves the use of reason, evidence, and sometimes emotional appeal to lead others to a change of mind or behavior. In the Scriptures, persuasion is often associated with the proclamation of the Gospel and the teaching of God's Word.

Biblical Examples

1. Paul's Ministry
The Apostle Paul is a prominent figure in the New Testament known for his efforts in persuading both Jews and Gentiles about the truth of the Gospel. In Acts 18:4, it is recorded, "Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks." Paul's approach often involved reasoning from the Scriptures to demonstrate that Jesus is the Messiah, as seen in Acts 17:2-4, where he "reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead."

2. King Agrippa
In Acts 26, Paul presents his defense before King Agrippa, aiming to persuade him of the truth of Christianity. In verse 28, Agrippa responds, "In such a short time, would you persuade me to become a Christian?" This interaction highlights the persuasive nature of Paul's testimony and the power of personal witness in the process of persuasion.

3. The Role of the Holy Spirit
While human effort in persuasion is significant, the Bible emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in convicting and convincing individuals of the truth. In John 16:8, Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit, saying, "When He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment." This divine persuasion is essential for true conversion and understanding.

Methods of Persuasion

1. Reasoning and Dialogue
The use of logical reasoning and dialogue is a common method of persuasion in the Bible. Paul, for instance, engaged in discussions and debates to clarify and defend the Gospel message (Acts 19:8-9).

2. Scriptural Evidence
Persuasion often involves the use of Scripture to provide evidence and authority for the message being conveyed. This is evident in Paul's method of reasoning from the Scriptures to prove the messianic prophecies fulfilled in Jesus (Acts 17:2-3).

3. Personal Testimony
Personal testimony is a powerful tool for persuasion, as seen in Paul's recounting of his conversion experience before Agrippa (Acts 26:12-23). Sharing personal encounters with God's grace can effectively persuade others of the truth of the Gospel.

4. Appeal to Conscience
The Bible also records instances where persuasion involves appealing to the conscience and moral understanding of individuals. In 2 Corinthians 5:11, Paul writes, "Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men." This appeal to the fear of the Lord and moral accountability is a significant aspect of biblical persuasion.

Challenges and Opposition

Persuasion in the biblical sense is not without its challenges. The Apostle Paul often faced opposition and resistance in his efforts to persuade others. In Acts 19:8-9, some became obstinate and refused to believe, publicly maligning the Way. This highlights the reality that not all efforts at persuasion will be successful, and some may even provoke hostility.

Conclusion

While persuasion is a critical aspect of sharing the Gospel and teaching biblical truths, it is ultimately God who opens hearts and minds to receive His message. The role of believers is to faithfully present the truth, relying on the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of those they seek to persuade.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Persuade.4100. pisteuo -- to believe, entrust
... 4100 (from 4102 , "faith," derived from 3982 , "persuade, be persuaded") -- (affirm,
have confidence); used of persuading oneself (= human believing) and with ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4100.htm - 12k

3982. peitho -- to persuade, to have confidence
... 3), convinced (7), followed (2), have confidence (2), having confidence (2), listen
(1), obey (3), obeying (1), persuade (4), persuaded (8), persuading (1), put ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3982.htm - 10k

With Respect to the Question, "How is He Incapable of Persuading ...
... Chapter LVII. With respect to the question, "How is he incapable of persuading
and admonishing men?" it? With respect to the question ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lvii with respect to.htm

I May Briefly Reduce the Chief Persuading Motive to this So ...
... A TREATISE OF CHRISTIAN LOVE. John xiii. 35. Chapter III. I may briefly reduce
the chief persuading motive to this so needful and so much? ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/chapter iii i may briefly.htm

Rhetoric and Eloquence
... Rhetoric has been commonly defined as "The power of persuading." This opinion
originated with Isocrates, if the work ascribed to him be really his; not that he ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/rhetoric and eloquence.htm

Introductory Tertullian Compares the Heresy to the Old Eleusinian ...
... They have the knack of persuading men before instructing them; although truth persuades
by teaching, but does not teach by first persuading. Footnotes: ...
/.../against the valentinians/chapter i introductory tertullian compares the.htm

Acts xix. 8, 9
... "And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months,
disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xli acts xix 8.htm

Colossians i. 21, 22
... For neither would persuading them be any gain, except he that held them were bound;
nor would binding him have been of any service, except they whom he ...
/.../homily iv colossians i 21.htm

On the First Sin of the First Man
... (1.) The one, directly persuading, was deduced from a view of the advantage
which man would obtain from it, that is, a likeness to God. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 7 on the first.htm

Whether the Devil is Directly the Cause of Man's Sinning?
... In the second and third ways, either the devil or a man may incite to sin, either
by offering an object of appetite to the senses, or by persuading the reason. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the devil is directly.htm

"Therefore, Brethren, we are Debtors, not to the Flesh, to Live ...
... gospel, that those who bind on burdens on others do not themselves touch them with
one of their fingers, and while they seem serious in persuading others, yet ...
/.../the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxxii therefore brethren we.htm

The Last Glimpse of Paul
... when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom
he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the last glimpse of paul.htm

Persuading (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Persuading (6 Occurrences). ... (YLT). Acts 18:4 and he was
reasoning in the synagogue every sabbath, persuading both Jews and Greeks. ...
/p/persuading.htm - 8k

Persuasion (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of persuading; the act of influencing the mind by arguments or reasons
offered, or by anything that moves the mind or passions, or inclines the ...
/p/persuasion.htm - 9k

Persuade (20 Occurrences)
... Acts 19:8 the King James Version writes "persuading the things" (the Revised Version
(British and American) "as to the things") for "present the things ...
/p/persuade.htm - 15k

Reasoning (37 Occurrences)
... with him. (YLT NAS). Acts 18:4 and he was reasoning in the synagogue every
sabbath, persuading both Jews and Greeks. (YLT NAS). Acts ...
/r/reasoning.htm - 19k

Persuadeth (6 Occurrences)

/p/persuadeth.htm - 8k

Nereus (1 Occurrence)
... the "Acts of Nereus and Achilleus" which call them chamberlains of Domitilla, the
niece of Vespasian, and relate their influence over her in persuading her to ...
/n/nereus.htm - 7k

Onias
... Menelaus took revenge by persuading Andronicus, the king's deputy, to entice Onias
by false promises of friendship from his sanctuary at Daphne and ...
/o/onias.htm - 10k

Larger (23 Occurrences)
... He explained to them, testifying about the Kingdom of God, and persuading them
concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning ...
/l/larger.htm - 13k

Lodging (24 Occurrences)
... He explained to them, testifying about the Kingdom of God, and persuading them
concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning ...
/l/lodging.htm - 14k

Gamaliel (7 Occurrences)
... (2) A Pharisee who at the meeting of the "council" succeeded in persuading its members
to adopt a more reasonable course when they were incensed at the ...
/g/gamaliel.htm - 13k

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